Waist encircling belt for supporting guitars and the like



THE LIKE Sept. 3, 1963' N. a, RALEIGH WAIST ENCIRCLING BELT FOR SUPPORTING GUITARS AND Filed NOV. 20, 1961 IIIIL INVENTOR. NORMAN G. RALEIGH the use of electrical pickup to increase volume.

3,102,44 Patented Sept. 3, 1963 3,162,446 WAIST ENCERCLING BELT FOR SUPPQRTING GUITARS AND LIKE Norman G. Raleigh, 802 Pepper Drive, El Cajon, Calif. Filed Nov. 20, 1961, Ser. No. 153,614 1 Claim. (Ci. S L-327) This invention relates to musical instruments, and more particularly to supporting means therefor.

Background It is well recognized that various instruments, such as guitars, and the like, tend to be too heavy to be comfortably hand-held for long periods. It has therefore become a common practice to support their weight by means of a cord or sling that is looped around the back of the players neck. This arrangement supports the instruments weight, andpositions the instrument at a comfortable height and orientation for playing it.

A new trend has recently developed in connection with hand-plucked string instruments, this trend being toward This militates against the hollow-bodied instrument, since the sound box is no longer essential. The weight of the instrument is, however, much increased.

The use of steel strings, preferred for their tonal qualities postulates considerable tension placed on the instrument, which must therefore be of strong construction to prevent deformation.

Since the basic shape of the instrument should be retained for psychological reasons, the newer instruments have a heavy, solid, bulky body whose shape approximates the older instruments. This new body introduces a problem for the player, because theneck-looped sling now produces considerable pressure. Moreover, the cord that passes down the front of the players body is so tight that it pulls the players clothing, usually his shirt, and produces unsightly Wrinkles. In addition, the player must strain to remain erect, when using currently available cords, due in part to the weight of the instrument, and this causes shoulder and back tension.

Objects and Drawings It is therefore the principal object of my invention to provide an improved instrument support.

It is another object of my invention to provide an improved instrument support that removes the instruments weight from the players neck.

It is a further object of my invention to provide an improved instrument support in the form of a belt that permits the instruments weight to be carried at the Waist of the musician.

The attainment of these objects and others will be realized from the following specification, taken in conjunction with the drawings, in which:

FIGURE 1 is a perspective view of the rear of the instrument and the supporting belt; and

7 FIGURE 2 is a longitudinal sectional view of the belt structure.

Brief Description of the Invention 5 fortable for the player.

Broadly speaking, my invention contemplates a half Detailed Description of the Invention The invention will be understood from a study of FIG- URES 1 and 2 wherein like numerals refer to like or identical parts and portions. An adjustable length half Belt 10 comprises a primary portion 16 that is relatively wide and which may be termed a half belt. This half belt may be padded if desired, so that it covers a relatively large area of the players back, and does not cut into the skin. In order to have its length adjustable so that the individual player may adjust it to his own girth and to the snugness that he prefers, a secondary portion or strap 18 is used. This may take any convenient form, the drawings illustrating a strap that has a plurality of aligned apertures at its tongue end 20' so that end may be fastened to the buckle or clasp 22 afiixed to the end of the half belt 16. The other end of strap 18 has an easily releasable hook eye 24 or its equivalent, that is secured, as-by a loop 26, to the strap 18. Thus, by selecting suitable apertures to engage buckle 22, the overall length of the entire belt 10 can be adjusted to satisfy 7 individual needs.

It will be noted that since the strap 18 does not necessarily engage the back of the wearer, the strap may be of any convenient width without causing cutting or uucomfortable pressure on the wearers skin.

Theother end of the half belt 16, also terminates in a hook member such as the snap hook 28 that is secured to the half belt in any suitable manner.

Each of said hooks is attached to the body 12 of the instrument. One way to do this is to use attachment elements such as screw eyes 3t) that are screwed into body portion 12. if desired, the screw eye may have an integral or separate washer 32 to distribute the pressure and strain over a wider area of the body 12 of the instrument and to prevent damage to the finish of the adjacent face of the instrument when the hook eye 24 is being secured and released in use.

Since the musical instrument with which my invention will be used generally has an electrical pickup, the cable 34 therefrom should be supported so that it does not drag or dangle awkwardly as the musician plays and moves around.

I achieve this by means of a supporting link 36 attached to belt 10. Link 36 may be attached in any suitable manner, as for example riveting or sewing, and may be pivotally or fixedly positioned. The cable holding end may also take various forms, such as a ring 38.

In use, screw eyes 30, with or without washers 32, are fastened to the body 12 of the instrument 13 in such .a manner that when they are both in a single horizontal plane the neck 14 of the instrument is properly angled and positioned for the players use. In this way, the players arms are at a convenient and comfortable location, his shirt is not wrinkled or made unsightly, the weight of the instrument is suspended from the musicians waist and not from his neck or shoulders, and the electric cable is conveniently supported. The wide half belt engages a broad portion of the players back :and is quite comfortable.

Moreover, the adjustable feature of the belt permits the player to achieve the particular degree of snugness that he prefers. This arrangement applies little or no pressure on the players stomach and no pressure on his chest,

which makes it easier for him to join in choral parts,

3 f u may be bonded to the back of the instrument by suitable adhesives or the like.

It is understood that minor variation from the form of the invention disclosed herein may be made Without departure from the spirit and scope of the invention, and that the specification and drawing are to be considered as merely illustrative rather than limiting.

I claim;

The combination comprising:

a guitar having a body portion and a neck portion;

spaced attachment elements mounted on the back surface of said body portion, said elements positioned so that when they are in a horizontal plane said neck portion of said instrument is in playing position;

an adjustable-length belt having .a wide portion and a narrower strap portion;

means positioned at the ends of said belt, for fastening said belt directly to said attachment elements so that when said wide portion is looped around the back of the player, said belt and attachment elements are in said horizontal plane and said neck portion is in playing position and said guitar is thus positioned for maximum comfort of the user, said belt providing the sole supporting means for said guitar.

0 References (Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 

